Convertible desks



April 5, 1960 L. F. BUTLER CONVERTIBLE DESKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan.24, 1958 CONVERTIBLE DESKS Leslie F. Butler, Palo Alto, Calif; HaroldMyra, administrator of said Leslie F. Butler, deceased, assignor ofone-half to John R. Bethea III, Washington, D. (1.

Application January 24, 1958, Serial No. 711,002

10 Claims. (Cl. 312-196) This invention relates to a desk which may bequickly and easily converted to use as a lectern and as easily restoredto use as a desk.

Among the more important objects are:

(a) To provide a desk which in one position of adjustment affords aconventional fiat top and in a second position of adjustment aifords alectern whose height may be readily adjusted and positively held in adusted position.

(b) To provide a desk which comprises a main framework or support with avertically adjustable podium whose top may be pivoted about anormally'horizontal axis at the forward edge thereof and positivelylocked in pivotally adjusted position.

To provide a desk having ample leg space and one or more tiers ofdrawers, convertible at will to use a lectern of adjustable height andwith pivotally adjustable top.

(d) To provide a combined desk and podium having novel mechanism bywhich the podium may be quickly and easily adjusted to a selected one ofa plurality of vertical positions of elevation and, when so adjusted,positively and releasably held in such position.

(e) To provide a structure as explained in object d, supra, withoutobstructing the leg space normally required when being used as afiat-topped desk.

(1) To provide a convertible desk-lectern structure which is relativelysimple and inexpensive to construct, positive and reliable in operation,readily adjustable over a wide range of positions, solid and substantialin all positions of adjustment, versatile in its range of uses, and ageneral advance in the art.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be obvious or willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art after a study of thefollowing detailed description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled desk, with the podium ina selected position of elevation and its top in an upwardly pivotedposition.

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing the podium and its top in fullylowered postions.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the podium removed from the desk or baseelement and showing in dotted lines one position of pivotal adjustmentof its top or shelf.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the complete desk with Patented Apr. 5,1960 means by which it is maintained in its two positions of adjustmentto free the podium for vertical adjustment and to maintain it in any ofa selected one of a plurality of vertical adjustments.

Figure 8 is a detail view to an enlarged scale, of the rear support rackfor the podium, on line 8-8, Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a detail side elevation of one of two hinge elements of thepodium top or shelf, taken on line 99, Figure 5, and

Figure 10 is a front view, to an enlarged scale, of

i the ledge along the front edge of the podium top and the mounting bywhich the ledge may be held in adjusted elevated position, as indicatedby line 1010, Figure 3.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 identifies generally the base ordesk structure which, in the model shown, includes six legs such as 2,3, 4 and 5 at the respective corners of the desk, and intermediate legs6 and 7 po-v sitioned symmetrically between legs 2 and 3, and 4 and 5,respectively. Legs 2 and 5 are interconnected by side panel 8 while legs3 and 4 are interconnected by side panel 9, Figure 5. At the back, legs5 and 7 are joined by panel 10, while legs 4 and 7 are connected bypanel 11, all in a conventional manner obvious from inspection ofFigures 1, 4 and 5. Framework or panel structure generally identified at12, Figure 5, interconnects intermediate legs 6 and 7. Thus all legs arerigidly united into a solid base or framework. The space defined by legs3, 4, 6 and 7 conveniently accommodates drawers 13 as clearly shown uponFigure 2.

The top of the desk comprises a main fiat rectangular sheet or panel 14resting upon and removably secured by brackets such as 15, Figure l, tothe top coplanar ends of legs 2 through 7, and having a rectangularcut-out whose edges are identified at 16, Figure 5. A podium top 17 isshaped to have a smooth fit within cut-out 16, as is clear from Figure5, whereby, when the podium is downwardly translated and pivoted tolowermost positions, the top is flush with the main top 14 and the twoform a single horizontal planar desk surface.

The podium element consists of a box-like structure having two identicalfiat side panels or frames 18 and 19 provided at or adjacent their frontedges with vertical slots 26 and 21, respectively. The rear edge of slot20 is serrated to provide a plurality of downwardly and forwardlysloping notches 22 which are conveniently equally spaced and shown uponFigure 4 as ten in number. Likewise the rearward edge of slot 21 of theright podium panel is provided with an equal number of likenotches 23.It will be understood that each notch in slot 20 is in horizontalalignment with a corresponding notch of slot 21. The side panels areunited at and along their back vertical edges, to a rear panel 24,Figures 1, 2 and 3, whereby the three panels form a rigid unitary podiumstructure. The dimensions and construction are such that the podiumstructure has a smooth, vertically:

guided fit between the two parallel edges 16 while, at

the podium in an elevated position of adjustment to prolarged scale oneof the rack bars by which the topof the podium is held in variousselected pivotal positions. Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken ina plane identified by line 7-7, Figure 2, and showing to an enlargedscale the front podium-supporting bar and the V g the other rack.

the same time it may be tilted slightly in a vertical plane parallelwith these edges, as and for the purpose subsequently described. I

Referring particularly to Figure 4, the side panel 8 has attached to itsinside central portion, a vertically-' disposed rack or notched element25. A like element 26, Figure l, is secured in vertically-disposedposition to thecentral inside area of panel 12. The number and spacingof the notches of racks 25 and 26 is identical with those formed in theedges of slots 20 and 21, previously described and, of course, theseracks 25 and 26 are so secured to their respective panels that eachnotch of a rack; is in horizontal alignment with a corresponding notchof It should also be noted that each notch 22 and 23 of the forwardracks is so disposed vertically with respect to a corresponding notch ofthe racks 25 and 26, that the podium box is in level position when fullysupported in each position of vertical adjustment by the rods 27 and 28,subsequently described. In contradistinction to the notches in the edgesof slots 20 and 21, the notches of elements 25 and 26 extendupwardlyandforwardly.

At their lower corners, that is, their rearward corners, panels 18 and19 of the podium are bored to receive a rear holding or supporting rodor 'bar 27 whose ends project a short distance beyond the panels to restin and be supported by a selected one of the notches of racks 25 and 26,respectively. The rod is fixed to the podium panels so that it cannotslide axially with respect thereto.

The inside upper forward-corner of panels 8 and 12 each has secured toit a slotted or grooved block, that for panel 12 being identified at 29,Figure 7. From this figure it is noted that the slot thereof comprisestwo angularly-related sections, first, a section 30 extending forwardlyand upwardly and secondly, a section 31 extending forwardly anddownwardly so that the two form, in effect, an inverted V. Thecorresponding block, not shown, attached to panel 8 has a duplicate slottherein positioned horizontally opposite the one just described forpanel 12. A forward podium-support rod 28 is dimensioned to have asmooth fit between panels 8 and 12 whereby it is easily translatable tomove its ends in and along the slots. Furthermore, the parts are sodimensioned and rciated that when rod 27 rests in and is supported by apair of notches in racks 25 and26, and rod 28 is in the full-lineposition ofFigure 7, with its ends seated in the lower portion of slots30, rod 28 may be engaged by and seated in a corresponding pair ofnotches 22 and 23. The podium structure is thus firmly but releasablysupported in a selected position of vertical adjustment. Conversely,when the weight of'the podiumis removed from rod 28 by a slight upwardlift of the podium, rod 28 can be translated until its ends arepositioned within slot sections '31 and contact the forward edges ofslots 20 and 21. When thus positioned, the rod is free of notches 22 and23 and the entire podium may be moved slightly forwardly, say about aninch, to free rod 27 from racks 25 and 26 so that it may be easilyadjusted upwardly or downwardly between its limiting positions. When soadjusted to desired elevation, the podium is again translated rearwardlyuntil rod 27 drops into the desired notches of racks 25 and 26. 'Forwardsupport rod 28 is then translated to the full-line position of Figure '7so that its ends are seated in slot sections 30, after which the forwardportion of the podium is released to seat the corresponding notches 22and 23 upon rod 28. The podium is thus firmly but releasably supportedat the desired elevation. As clearly appears from Figure 7, the groovedblock 29 is secured to its panel 12 with its forward vertical edge flushagainst leg 6. 'The forward end of slot portion 31 is thereby closed sothat rod 28 is confined against dropping out. The other block,corresponding to 29, is similarly fixed to panel 8, flush with leg 2.

As has been stated, means are provided 'to pivot the podium top 17 forelevation to any of'a number of positions one of which is shown atFigure 4. For this purpose I provide duplicate hinge means, one of whichis shown upon Figure 9 and comprises a one-piece bracket 32 having wings32a and 32b disposed in mutually normal planes. Each wing 32a is securedby screws 33 to the under side of top 17 at a respective forward cornerthereof. Each wing 32b 'is provided with a pair of slots 34. Thus -stillreferring to Figure 9, a screw 35 passes through each slot into theinner surface of side panel 1?. The other bracket, that is, the one.hingingitop 17 to side'panel 18,, is :an vallochiral duplicate of theone just described.

The slots are arcuate in shape, as shown at .Figure 9. so

ems-1,6815 i edge to a number of positions about an axis which lies alittle ahead of the front edge of the top.

A pair of notched racks 36 and 37 are provided to support the podium topin a selected position of pivotal adjustment. Referring moreparticularly to Figure 6, rack 36 is shown to have a longitudinal slot38 one edge of which is serrated to form downwardly-extending notches39. The upper end of the rack 36 is 'pivotally connected with the podiumtop by a bracket 40, secured to the top by screws 41. The axis-of pivotpin 42 is generally parallel with top 17 and .forwardly and rearwardlydirected; but it has sumcient play to accommodate the slight angularmotion in the vertical plane thereof as the top is pivotally moved. Therack 37 is a duplicate of the one just described but is mounted inreverse position as clearly shown upon Figure 2.

Again referring to Figure 6, the rear panel 24 has a pair of knobs, suchas 43, fixed to its inner surface adjacent the top edge thereof. Knob 43has a shank sized to fit smoothly within any of the notches 39, and ahead which effectively retains rack 36 against displacement from theshank. Since rack 36 is pendulously suspended it is urged to a positionin which a notch seats upon the shank of knob 43 but may be releasedtherefrom to enable a change in pivotal position of the top, by a slightclockwise motion. Rack 37 is provided with a similar knob, not shown,and may be pivoted counterclockwise, as viewed upon Figure 2, to releaseit from its knob. Pull wires or cables 44 are secured to each rack, asshown upon Figure 6, and pass therefrom to an eyelet 45 (see also Figure5) secured centrally to the top edge of panel 24, forwardly to aslidable grip or handle 46. In this way, when the handle is pulledforwardly, the cables are tautened and racks 36 and 37 are pivoted inopposite directions, in a manner clear from Figure 1, to release themfrom their .respective knobs so that the top can be manu ally adjustedto a desired position. When so'adjusted, release of the handle enablesthe racks to pivot downwardly and seat the appropriate notches over theshanks of the knobs to thereby support the podium top in the selectedposition of pivotal adjustment. If desired or necessary, springs, notshown, may be added urging racks 36 and 37 counterclockwise andclockwise, respectively, as the parts are viewed upon Figure 2, toassure holding engagement of each rack when thepull on cables 44 isreleased. As indicated upon Figure 5, a .recess 47 is provided in desktop 14 at the central part ofedge 16 to enable podium top 17 to begrasped.

A further feature of the invention is a bar or ledge adjustablevertically at the forward edge of the podium top, from a first positionwherein it prevents articles from sliding off when the top is tilted, toa second position flush with the top. Referring to Figures 1 and 10, abar 48 is mounted in contiguous coextensive relation with the forwardedge of podium top 17. The bar is provided with slots 49 whose shape inthe general form of a C is clearly shown upon Figure 10. A pair ofheadediscrews 50 are secured in the forward edge of the top andextendthrough the respective slots in symmetrical relation therewith. As willbe clear from inspection of the figure, ledge 48 when in the positionshown, has its upper edge elevated above the plane of podium top 17 sothat articles thereon are prevented from sliding off and books andpapers are held in proper position. When it is desired to .lowerthe baror ledge toa position substantially flush with the upper surface of top17, it is raised slightly, slid to the right, moved downwardly so thatpins 50 traverse the vertical portions of the slots and again moved tothe left. When released in either of the positions noted, the shortvertical ends of the slots drop over the pins and lock the bar againstlongitudinal movement.

Assuming the parts to be in the positions of adjustment .shown uponFigure 2, when it is desired to use the desk as a lectern, the userplaces the fingers :of his left hand .in opening :47 to grasp top 17,and his right hand under the forward edge of the top, and applies alift. The top pivots to its maximum position of elevation after whichtheentire podium is translated upwardly. If desired, a releasable clasp,hook or latch may be provided between the podium top and box to retainthe top in horizontal position during upward translation, after which itmay be freed for pivotal adjustment. During translation the upwardly andforwardly directed notches of racks 25 and 26 automatically cam thepodium slightly forward. Simultaneously the downwardly and forwardlydirected notches 22 and 23 act to cam rod 28 forwardly along slotportions 39 so that there is no impediment to upward movement of thepodium. When the podium is at the desired elevation, a slight rearwardmotion thereof causes the ends of rods 27 to again seat in theappropriate pair of notches of racks 25 and 26. The podium is thenslightly tilted about the axis of rod 27 so that the forward holding rod28 may move into the holding position shown in full lines upon Figure 7.Release of the podium then permits the appropriate notches 22 and 23 toseat over rod 28 and thus positively support it in the desired positionof elevation. Thereafter the angle of elevation of top 17 may beadjusted after pulling forward on handle 46. Release of the handle locksthe top in adjusted position in the manner previously explained.

When it is desired to restore the podium to use as a desk, or to lowerthte top thereof, the-podium is slightly raised to relieve rod 28 of allweight. The rod is then shifted forwardly into the dotted line positionof Figure 7 and the podium is moved slightly forward to free rod 27 fromracks 25 and 26 after which it may be lowered to the desired position.Return of rod 28 to holding position in conjunction with a slight upwardtilt of the forward edge of the podium elfects secure adjustment intothe new position.

An alternative construction is contemplated wherein the central portionof rod 28 is eliminated, to afford added knee room when the podium iselevated, say to the position shown upon Figure 1. Two metal plates eachhave a slot of the size and shape shown upon Figure 7 and each plate issecured, as by screws, to its respective panel 8 and 12 in the sameposition as in Figure 7 but slightly inwardly offset therefrom. A pin orstud has a shank passing through its respective slot, and a flatintegral head positioned between the corresponding panel and offsetplate, so that each pin is slidable in its slot but retained againstaxial movement and, of course, against twisting in planes normal to thepanels. Each stud projects inwardly far enough to seat in notches 22 and23, respectively.

It is thus apparent that I have provided a desk of great utilityparticularly for class and lecture rooms. When the instructor wishes tolecture or to hear recitations while sitting, the desk will be used withthe podium structure fully lowered to afford a flat-topped desk withfull and ample leg room. When the instructor wishes to lecture or toconduct a class while standing, the podium can be quickly elevated toany of a plurality of positions and its top tilted at a desired angle.Since the podium is relatively light in weight, very little eifort isneeded to adjust it. The invention is equally useful where a deskconvertible to use for accounting, drafting or supporting referenceworks, is desired.

While I have disclosed the preferred form of the invention as now knownto me, various modifications and substitutions of equivalents will beobvious or will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a studyof the foregoing specification. Hence it is my desire and intention thatthe foregoing disclosure shall be taken in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense; and I wish to reserve all equivalent and modifiedstructures within the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having now fully disclosed the invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a desk convertible to use as a lectern, a supporting baseincluding a top panel, there being a cut-out in said panel, a podiumincluding a top fitting said cut-out, means carried by said supportguiding said podium for vertical translation from a first positionwherein its top is coplanar with said desk top, to a selected one of aplurality of positions vertically with respect thereto, and meanscarried by said base and podium and operable to support said podium in aselected one of said plurality of positions, said means comprising apair of laterally-:

spaced, vertically-disposed racks fixed with said podium and a secondpair of laterally-spaced, vertically-disposed racks fixed with saidbase.

2. A convertible desk comprising, a support element including a firstpair of laterally-spaced vertically-disposed notchedracks fixedtherewith, a podium including a pair of laterally-spaced sides andcarried by said element for.

vertical translation as a unit with respect thereto, said sides having asecond pair of laterally-spaced, verticallydisposed notched racks spacedforwardly of said first pair of racks, first abutment means carried bysaid podium for engagement in and support by a selected pairs of notchesof said first pair of racks, and second abutment means carried by saidsupport element for engagement in and support of said second pair ofracks.

3. A convertible desk comprising, a desk element including a first pairof laterally-spaced, vertically-disposed racks at its rearward side, apodium mounted for vertical translation on and with respect to said deskelement, saidpodium comprising a top and a second pair oflaterallyspaced, vertically-disposed racks forwardly of said first pairof racks, first abutment means fixed to the rear of 'of said first pairof racks, for support thereby, and second abutment means carried by saiddesk element and forwardly and rearwardly adjustable from a firstposition engaging in a selected pair of notches of said second pair ofracks to a second position free thereof.

4. A lectern desk comprising, a desk base including a flat top having arectangular aperture opening through its forward edge, a podiumincluding a flat top shaped to fit said aperture in coplanar relationwith said desk top, a first pair of racks secured to said base at therespective rear corners of said aperture, and presenting a plurality ofvertically-spaced, forwardly and upwardly directed notches, a secondpair of racks fixed with said podium at the forward corners ofsaidpodium top and presenting a plurality of vertically-spaced, forwardlyand downward ly directed notches, first abutment means fixed with saidpodium and releasably engageable within any of a selected pair ofnotches of said first pair of racks for support thereby, second abutmentmeans mounted on said base at the forward corners of said aperture andshiftable forwardly and rearwardly from a first position engageable inany of a selected pair of notches of said second pair of racks, to asecond position wherein it may be freed of said notches of said secondpair of racks, upward movement of said podium automatically operatingthrough said first pair of racks and first abutment means to cam saidpodium forwardly and thereby shift said second abutment means to itssaid second position, and means releasably holding said second abutmentmeans in its said second position.

5. A lectern desk as defined in claim 4, said last-named means includinga pair of like, confronting slots in said desk base at the forwardcorners of said aperture, said slots being in the form of an inverted V,and a rod having its ends slidable in and along said slots and supportedthereby.

6. In a podium desk, a desk base, a podium supported by said base forvertical adjustment relatively thereto, a first pair ofvertically-disposed rack members fixed with said base, a second pair ofvertically-disposed rack memq 2, 531 ,ees

bers iixed withsaidpodium, first abutment means carried by said podiumforengagement with said first pair of rack members, andsecond abutmentmeans carried by said base for engagement with said second pair of rackmembers, whereby said podium is supported by all said rack members in aselected position of vetrical adjustment.

7. A podium desk as in'claim '6, and means mounting said-second abutmentmeans on said base for horizontal translation between first and secondpositions respectively toward and from said first pair of rack members.

8. Ina desk convertible to use as a lectern, a desk base, a podiumsupported by said base for adjustment to aselected one of a plurality ofpositions vertically above said base, a rearward pair ofvertically-disposed, laterally-spaced rack members fixed with said baseand defining upwardly and forwardly extending notches, a forward pair oflaterally-spaced, vertically-disposed rack members fixed with saidpodium and defining downwardly and forwardly extending notches, firstabutment means carried by said podium for selective engagement incorresponding notches of said rearward'p'air of rack members, and second abutment means carried by said desk base for selective engagement incorresponding notches of said forward pair of rack members.

9. in alectern desk, a desk base having a top provided witii'a cut-out,a firstpair of racks defining a plurality of superposed upwardly andforwardly extending notches and fixed with said base invertically-disposed, laterallyspaced relation at the rear of saidcut-out, a podium comprising a top and right and left side memberssecured to said top and mounted within said cut-out for guidedvertical'translation froma lowermost position substantialiy flush withsaid desk top, to a plurality of adjusted positions above'said desk top,a second pair of racks defining a plurality of superposed downwardly andforwardly extending notches fixed with said side members, respectively,at the forward portions thereof, said podium having limited forward andrearward translation within said cut-out, first abutment means fixedwith said side members at the rear thereof and adapted to seat withinand be supported by any of a selected pair of corresponding notches ofsaid first pair of racks, second abutment means" mounted on" said baseto engage in any of a -'selected pair of corresponding notches of saidsecond pair of rac'ks,- and means mounting said second abutment means onsaid base for movement from a rearward positionengaging in a selectedcorresponding pair of notches of said second pair of racks, to a forwardposition free and clear of said second pair of racks, whereby verticalmovement of said podium acts to cam said first abutment means out ofengagement with the notches of said first pair of racks andto cam saidsecond abutment means to forward position.

10. In a lectern desk, a floor-supported base including a flat desktophaving a cut-out opening through its forward edge, a podium including atop shaped to fit said cut-out in coplanar relation with said desk top,means including first and second pairs of notched racks fixed with saidbase and podium, respectively, first abutment means carried by saidpodium and releasably engaged;

with selected notches of said first pair of racks, and second abutmentmeans carried by Said base and releasably engaged with selected notchesof said second pair of racks, all said racks and abutment meanscooperating to support said podium in a selected one of a plurality ofpositions elevated above said desk top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS259,208 Pursell June 6, 1882 294,388 Hull Mar. 4, 1884- 654,922Schipkowsky July 31, 1.900 1,188,792 Kormendy June 27, 1916 1,358,103Manon May 10, 1932 2,019,455 Lehman Oct. 29, 1935- 2,436,773 LambertFeb. 24, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,248 Great Britain 1798 528,296 GermanyAug. 22, 1929 136,873 Switzerland Feb. 17, 1930v 1,011,034 France June18, 1952 924,099 Germany Feb. 24, 1955

